scholarly journals Myocardial Pathology in COVID-19-Associated Cardiac Injury: A Systematic Review

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1647
Author(s):  
Aniello Maiese ◽  
Paola Frati ◽  
Fabio Del Duca ◽  
Paola Santoro ◽  
Alice Chiara Manetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Lymphocytic Infiltration ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Cytotoxic Lymphocytes ◽  
Pathological Findings ◽  
Pubmed Database

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can potentially affect all organs owing to the ubiquitous diffusion of the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor-binding protein. Indeed, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is capable of causing heart disease. This systematic review can offer a new perspective on the potential consequences of COVID-19 through an analysis of the current literature on cardiac involvement. This systematic review, conducted from March 2020 to July 2021, searched the current literature for postmortem findings in patients who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by combining and meshing the terms “COVID-19”, “postmortem”, “autopsy”, and “heart” in titles, abstracts, and keywords. The PubMed database was searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Sixteen papers met the inclusion criteria (case reports and series, original research, only English-written). A total of 209 patients were found (mean age (interquartile range (IQR)), 60.17 years (IQR, 54.75–70.75 years); 122 men (58.37%, ratio of men to women of 1:0.7%)). Each patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Death was mainly the result of respiratory failure. The second most common cause of death was acute heart failure. Few patients specifically died of myocarditis. Variables such as pathological findings, immunohistochemical data, and previous clinical assessments were analyzed. Main cardiac pathological findings were cardiac dilatation, necrosis, lymphocytic infiltration of the myocardium, and small coronary vessel microthrombosis. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed an inflammatory state dominated by the constant presence of CD3+ and CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes and CD68+ macrophages. COVID-19 leads to a systemic inflammatory response and a constant prothrombotic state. The results of our systematic review suggest that SARS-CoV-2 was able to cause irreversible changes in several organs, including the heart; this is reflected by the increased cardiac risk in patients who survive COVID-19. Postmortem analysis (including autopsy, histologic, and immunohistochemical examination) is an indispensable tool to better understand pathological changes caused by emerging diseases such as COVID-19. Our results may provide more information on the involvement of the heart in COVID-19 patients.

Socioeconomic and Demographic Statuses as Determinants of Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV Infected Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuredin Nassir Azmach ◽  
Temam Abrar Hamza ◽  
Awel Abdella Husen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Occupational Status ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Education And Employment ◽  
Socio Economic Factors ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Socioeconomic and demographic statuses are associated with adherence to the treatment of patients with several chronic diseases. However, there is a controversy regarding their impact on adherence among HIV/AIDS patients. Thus, we performed a systematic review of the evidence regarding the association of socioeconomic and demographic statuses with adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV/AIDS patients. Methods: The PubMed database was used to search and identify studies concerning about socioeconomic and demographic statuses and HIV/AIDS patients. Data were collected on the association between adherence to ART and varies determinants factors of socioeconomic (income, education, and employment/occupation) and socio-demographic (sex and age). Findings: From 393 potentially-relevant articles initially identified, 35 original studies were reviewed in detail, which contained data that were helpful in evaluating the association between socioeconomic/ demographic statuses and adherence to ART among HIV patients. Two original research study has specifically focused on the possible association between socioeconomic status and adherence to ART. Income, level of education, and employment/occupational status were significantly and positively associated with the level of adherence in 7 studies (36.8%), 7 studies (28.0%), and 4 studies (23.5%) respectively out of 19, 25, and 17 studies reviewed. Sex (being male), and age (per year increasing) were significantly and positively associated with the level of adherence in 5 studies (14.3%), and 9 studies (25.7%) respectively out of 35 studies reviewed. However, the determinant of socioeconomic and demographic statuses was not found to be significantly associated with adherence in studies related to income 9(47.4%), education 17(68.0%), employment/ occupational 10(58.8%), sex 27(77.1%), and age 25(71.4%). Conclusion: The majority of the reviewed studies reported that there is no association between socio- demographic and economic variables and adherence to therapy. Whereas, some studies show that age of HIV patients (per year increasing) and sex (being male) were positively associated with adherence to ART. Among socio-economic factors, the available evidence does not provide conclusive support for the existence of a clear association with adherence to ART among HIV patients. There seems to be a positive trend between socioeconomic factors and adherence to ART in some of the reviewed studies.

scholarly journals Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Dietl ◽  
Matthias W. Beckmann ◽  
Konrad Aumann
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Uterine Cervix ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Conservative Group ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stage Ia ◽  
Invasive Management

Abstract Purpose Villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) of the uterine cervix has been classified as a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma with good prognosis. A conservative surgical approach is considered feasible. The main risk factor is the presence of other histologic types of cancer. In this largest systematic review to date, we assess oncological outcomes associated with conservative therapy compared to those associated with invasive management in the treatment of stage Ia and Ib1 VGA. Methods Case series and case reports identified by searching the PubMed database were eligible for inclusion in this review (stage Ia–Ib1). Results A total of 271 patients were included in our literature review. 54 (20%) patients were treated by “conservative management” (conization, simple hysterectomy, and trachelectomy) and 217 (80%) by “invasive management” (radical hysterectomy ± radiation, hysterectomy, and radiation). Recurrences of disease (RODs) were found in the conservative group in two (4%) cases and in the invasive group in nine (4%) cases. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) according to conservative or invasive treatment (p = 0.75). The histology of VGA may be complex with underlying usual adenocarcinoma (UAC) combined with VGA. Conclusion The excellent prognosis of pure VGA and the young age of the patients may justify the management of this tumor using a less radical procedure. The histological diagnosis of VGA is a challenge, and pretreatment should not be based solely on a simple punch biopsy but rather a conization with wide tumor-free margins.

scholarly journals A systematic review of historical and current trends in Chagas disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 204993612110337
Author(s):  
Diego-Abelardo Álvarez-Hernández ◽  
Rodolfo García-Rodríguez-Arana ◽  
Alejandro Ortiz-Hernández ◽  
Mariana Álvarez-Sánchez ◽  
Meng Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Human Case ◽  
Acute Stage ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Chronic Stage ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Trypanocidal Drugs

Introduction: Chagas disease (CD) is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. When acquired, the disease develops in stages. For diagnosis, laboratory confirmation is required, and an extensive assessment of the patient’s health should be performed. Treatment consists of the administration of trypanocidal drugs, which may cause severe adverse effects. The objective of our systematic review was to analyze data contained in the CD published case reports to understand the challenges that patients and clinicians face worldwide. Materials and methods: We performed a systematic review following the PRISMA guidance. PubMed database was explored using the terms ‘American trypanosomiasis’ or ‘Chagas disease’. Results were limited to human case reports written in English or Spanish. A total of 258 reports (322 patients) were included in the analysis. Metadata was obtained from each article. Following this, it was analyzed to obtain descriptive measures. Results: From the sample, 56.2% were males and 43.8% were females. Most cases were from endemic countries (85.4%). The most common clinical manifestations were fever during the acute stage (70.0%), dyspnea during the chronic stage in its cardiac form (53.7%), and constipation during the chronic stage in its digestive form (73.7%). Most patients were diagnosed in the chronic stage (72.0%). Treatment was administered in 56.2% of cases. The mortality rate for the acute stage cases was 24.4%, while for the chronic stage this was 28.4%. Discussion: CD is a parasitic disease endemic to Latin America, with increasing importance due to human and vector migration. In this review, we report reasons for delays in diagnosis and treatment, and trends in medical practices. Community awareness must be increased to improve CD’s diagnoses; health professionals should be appropriately trained to detect and treat infected individuals. Furthermore, public health policies are needed to increase the availability of screening and diagnostic tools, trypanocidal drugs, and, eventually, vaccines.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Influenza Co-infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Dadashi ◽  
Saeedeh Khaleghnejad ◽  
Parisa Abedi Elkhichi ◽  
Mehdi Goudarzi ◽  
Hossein Goudarzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Prevalence Studies

Background and Aim: Co-infection of COVID-19 with other respiratory pathogens which may complicate the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of COVID-19 emerge new concern. The overlap of COVID-19 and influenza, as two epidemics at the same time can occur in the cold months of the year. The aim of current study was to evaluate the rate of such co-infection as a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on September 28, 2019 for original research articles published in Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases from December 2019 to September 2020 using relevant keywords. Patients of all ages with simultaneous COVID-19 and influenza were included. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 14 software.Results: Eleven prevalence studies with total of 3,070 patients with COVID-19, and 79 patients with concurrent COVID-19 and influenza were selected for final evaluation. The prevalence of influenza infection was 0.8% in patients with confirmed COVID-19. The frequency of influenza virus co-infection among patients with COVID-19 was 4.5% in Asia and 0.4% in the America. Four prevalence studies reported the sex of patients, which were 30 men and 31 women. Prevalence of co-infection with influenza in men and women with COVID-19 was 5.3 and 9.1%, respectively. Eight case reports and 7 case series with a total of 123 patients with COVID-19 were selected, 29 of them (16 men, 13 women) with mean age of 48 years had concurrent infection with influenza viruses A/B. Fever, cough, and shortness of breath were the most common clinical manifestations. Two of 29 patients died (6.9%), and 17 out of 29 patients recovered (58.6%). Oseltamivir and hydroxychloroquine were the most widely used drugs used for 41.4, and 31% of patients, respectively.Conclusion: Although a low proportion of COVID-19 patients have influenza co-infection, however, the importance of such co-infection, especially in high-risk individuals and the elderly, cannot be ignored. We were unable to report the exact rate of simultaneous influenza in COVID-19 patients worldwide due to a lack of data from several countries. Obviously, more studies are needed to evaluate the exact effect of the COVID-19 and influenza co-infection in clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Association between financial links to indoor tanning industry and conclusions of published studies on indoor tanning: systematic review

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lola Adekunle ◽  
Rebecca Chen ◽  
Lily Morrison ◽  
Meghan Halley ◽  
Victor Eng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Indoor Tanning ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Industry Funding ◽  
Study Selection ◽  
English Articles ◽  
Tanning Industry

Abstract Objective To assess whether an association exists between financial links to the indoor tanning industry and conclusions of indoor tanning literature. Design Systematic review. Data sources PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, up to 15 February 2019. Study selection criteria Articles discussing indoor tanning and health were eligible for inclusion, with no article type restrictions (original research, systematic reviews, review articles, case reports, editorials, commentaries, and letters were all eligible). Basic science studies, articles describing only indoor tanning prevalence, non-English articles, and articles without full text available were excluded. Results 691 articles were included in analysis, including empiric articles (eg, original articles or systematic reviews) (357/691; 51.7%) and non-empiric articles letters (eg, commentaries, letters, or editorials) (334/691; 48.3%). Overall, 7.2% (50/691) of articles had financial links to the indoor tanning industry; 10.7% (74/691) articles favored indoor tanning, 3.9% (27/691) were neutral, and 85.4% (590/691) were critical of indoor tanning. Among the articles without industry funding, 4.4% (27/620) favored indoor tanning, 3.5% (22/620) were neutral, and 92.1% (571/620) were critical of indoor tanning. Among the articles with financial links to the indoor tanning industry, 78% (39/50) favored indoor tanning, 10% (5/50) were neutral, and 12% (6/50) were critical of indoor tanning. Support from the indoor tanning industry was significantly associated with favoring indoor tanning (risk ratio 14.3, 95% confidence interval 10.0 to 20.4). Conclusions Although most articles in the indoor tanning literature are independent of industry funding, articles with financial links to the indoor tanning industry are more likely to favor indoor tanning. Public health practitioners and researchers need to be aware of and account for industry funding when interpreting the evidence related to indoor tanning. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019123617.

scholarly journals Russian-language publication activities of medical researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the year

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 4451
Author(s):  
O. T. Kim ◽  
O. M. Drapkina ◽  
Yu. V. Rodionova
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Healthcare Management ◽  
Russian Language ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Study Designs

Aim. To study the dynamics and patterns of medical publications in Russian, made during the year from February 2020, in order to assess the completeness of data on the etiology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as rehabilitation and healthcare management during a pandemic.Material and methods. We searched for publications using the Pubmed database and the Elpub platform. The search was carried out using the following requests: “COVID-19” and “SARS-CoV-2”. Thematic sections were allocated according to source type, specialization and research design. The publications were classified according to keywords and meaning. The publication time was estimated by the date it was accepted for publication. Values were assessed using numerical values and graphs.Results. One hundred fifteen (28,5%) publications presented data from original research, while 288 (71,5%) — reflected the results of already existing sources. An increase in proportion of primary sources with the pandemic spread was established. There were following most common study designs: case series — 87 (77,7%); case reports — 15 (13,4%); cohort studies — 8 (7,1%); randomized clinical trials — 2 (1,8%). By topic, the largest number of articles are devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 — 250 (62%), epidemiology — 36 (8,9%), etiology and pathogenesis — 36 (8,9%), healthcare management — 30 (7,4%), “Other” — 20 (4,9%), and policy papers from expert communities — 13 (3,25%). The smallest number of publications is directly related to cardiology and prevention, including immunoprophylaxis — 12 (2,9%), as well as rehabilitation — 6 (1,5%).Conclusion. The dynamics and patterns of publications on COVID-19 in Russian are generally in line with global trends and reflect the pandemic characteristics in Russia. Due to disease novelty, there is currently a knowledge gap in the treatment, prevention and long-term outcomes of COVID-19. In the future, studies with a higher evidence level are needed on possible methods of treatment, prevention, including cardiology issues and vaccination, as well as rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Vasculitis induced by biological agents used in rheumatology practice: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila da Silva Cendon Duran ◽  
Adriane Souza da Paz ◽  
Mittermayer Barreto Santiago
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Infusion Reaction ◽  
Biological Agents ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objectives: Biological medications have been used with an increasing frequency to treat rheumatological diseases. Autoimmune events can be induced by these drugs, such as psoriasiform lesions, alopecia, lupus and, vasculitis, which more often affects the skin (small-sized vessels) and eventually other organs. In this review, we describe the clinical profile of patients with vasculitis induced by the main biological agents used in rheumatology. Patients and methods: We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. The PubMed database was used for searching eligible articles. We included case reports, case series, and letter to the editor of patients on anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-a) molecules, as well as tocilizumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, rituximab, and abatacept, who had vasculitis induced by these agents. Results: Eighty-one articles were included for final analysis (n=89). Twenty-seven patients were using infliximab, 20 adalimumab, 18 etanercept, seven secukinumab, four certolizumab, four rituximab, three golimumab, three ustekinumab, two abatacept, and one tocilizumab. Unspecific leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) was the most common type of vasculitis (n=37), followed by anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)- associated vasculitis (n=16). The medication was replaced with another biological molecule in 23 cases, with only four relapses. In six cases, the biological was maintained, but vasculitis worsened/persisted in one case, being necessary drug removal. Conclusion: Infections, infusion reaction, cancer, and autoimmune events are well-known side effects of biological therapy. This review demonstrates that vasculitis is another adverse effect of this type of therapy, particularly the anti-TNF-a molecules, and LCV the most reported type of vasculitis.

scholarly journals The Neuropathology of Gluten-Related Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxine D Rouvroye ◽  
Panagiotis Zis ◽  
Anne-Marie Van Dam ◽  
Annemieke J.M. Rozemuller ◽  
Gerd Bouma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Lymphocytic Infiltration ◽  
Neurological Dysfunction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Skin Biopsies ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy

Gluten-related neurological disorders (GRND) represent a spectrum of neurological manifestations that are triggered by gluten. In coeliac disease, a T-cell mediated enteropathy is triggered by gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The underlying pathological mechanism of the neurological dysfunction is not yet clear. The aim of this review is to collate existing neuropathological findings in GRND as a means of aiding the understanding of the pathophysiology. A systematic search of the Pubmed Database yielded 188 articles, of which 32 were included, containing 98 eligible cases with a description of pathological findings in GRND. In gluten ataxia, loss of Purkinje cells, atrophy, gliosis and astrocytosis were apparent, as well as diffuse lymphocytic infiltration and perivascular cuffing with lymphocytes. In patients with large-fiber neuropathy, nerve biopsies revealed axonopathy, loss of myelinated fibers and focal and perivascular infiltration by inflammatory cells. Inflammatory infiltrate was also observed in muscle in myopathy and in cerebrum of patients with encephalopathy and patients with epilepsy. Such changes were not seen in skin biopsies from patients with small fiber neuropathies. The findings from this systematic review suggest an immune mediated pathogenesis for GRND. Future research should focus on the characterization of the inflammatory cell infiltrates and identifying target epitopes.

Orthopedic Injuries and Their Treatment in Children During Earthquakes: A Systematic Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 478-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Morelli ◽  
Maria Grazia Sabbadini ◽  
Michelangelo Bortolin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Body Distribution ◽  
Fractures In Children ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Orthopedic Injuries ◽  
Child Hospital

AbstractOrthopedic injuries commonly affect children during earthquakes, but reports about them are rare. This setting may lead to different standards of care, but guidelines are still missing in this field. A systematic review was performed to: (1) assess type and body distribution of pediatric earthquake-related injuries, treatment performed, length of stay, and complications; and (2) identify starting points to define standards of care.PubMed database was researched for papers (1999-2014 period) in agreement with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Inclusion criteria were: English, French, Spanish, or Italian language and data reported about orthopedic lesions in children (≤18 years old). Reviews, letters, commentaries, editorials, and single case reports were excluded. Two independent reviewers selected articles after abstract and full-text reading.Traumatic injuries caused child hospital admissions ranging from 46.9% to 100.0%; 16% to 53% suffered fractures. Lower limbs mostly were involved. Soft-tissue injuries affected 55% of patients. Debridement and external fixation (EF) were the most frequent surgical treatments. Amputation rates varied from 5% to 11%.This study revealed that field hospitals should be prepared to: (1) treat mainly lower extremities fractures in children; and (2) use especially EF techniques. The presence of orthopedic surgeons familiar with pediatric traumatology should be considered.MorelliI, SabbadiniMG, BortolinM. Orthopedic injuries and their treatment in children during earthquakes: a systematic review. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(5):478–485.

scholarly journals The effects of caffeine in adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake Ryan Gibbon ◽  
James Frith
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Orthostatic Hypotension ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments

Abstract Purpose To systematically review the evidence base for the effectiveness and safety of caffeine for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in adults. Methods Eight electronic databases were searched in January 2021. Original research studies or case reports involving adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension were included if caffeine was an intervention and outcomes included symptoms, blood pressure or adverse effects. Relevant studies were screened and underwent qualitative analysis. Insufficient reporting precluded meta-analysis. Results Five studies were identified: four crossover studies and one case report summation. Study size ranged from 5 to 16 participants. Participants had neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, with a mean standing systolic blood pressure of 86 mmHg. Two studies evaluated caffeine alone. Three studies administered caffeine in combination with ergotamine. Caffeine dose ranged from 100 to 300 mg. Nature and timing of outcomes measured varied between studies, with measurements being recorded from 30 to 480 min after intervention. Caffeine/ergotamine improved symptoms in one study and reduced orthostatic blood pressure drop in two studies. Caffeine/ergotamine increased seated blood pressure in three studies, whilst the results for caffeine alone were inconsistent. No serious adverse events were reported. All studies demonstrated high risk of bias. Conclusion Caffeine should only be considered as a treatment for adults with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension when evidence-based treatments have been exhausted. Systematic review registration PROSPERO ID: CRD42020124589. Date of registration: 30/10/2020

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